Inspired by a variety of diverse life experiences, Keiser University Sarasota campus student Richard Soto has his sights set on a career in healthcare education.

Now working toward his Associate of Science degree in Nursing, Soto who is married and the father of three, said he’s found the most gratification while caring for and motivating others and plans to become a nursing instructor after earning his bachelor’s and Master of Science degrees.

The motivation developed after adjusting his professional focus from working in the technology field.  Gratified by the experience of assisting a patient with dementia at a nursing home, Soto went on to earn his Licensed Practical Nursing certificate and further expanded his opportunities by enrolling at Keiser University’s Sarasota campus nursing program. There, he got to know Nursing program instructor Terry Neeley and contemplated his career path. “I always set the bar high, so when Professor Neeley mentioned the possibility of teaching, it made sense, as I could potentially help a lot of people,” he reflected.

As the son of immigrants, Soto spent most of his childhood in Puerto Rico before relocating permanently to the United States to attend high school. While forging the educational trail, he realizes that his loved ones are taking note of his choices and is thankful for funding such as the Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) grant which helps to lighten the load. “I take my responsibilities very seriously, and my family is on the line. It’s been great living in the states but having three teenagers in the house is not cheap, so it takes a lot of stress off the family to be able to go back to fulfill my dream,” he said. “When you go to school full time, you’ve got to be sure to make it work. I like to call it ‘professional adulthood,’” he smiled.

Keiser University’s Associate of Science degree in Nursing prepares students to practice professional nursing. Professional nursing involves the performance of those acts requiring substantial specialized knowledge, judgment, and nursing skill based upon applied principles of biological, physical, psychological, and social sciences.

Keiser University is a private, independent, non-profit university serving nearly 20,000 students at 21 Florida campuses, online, and two international sites. Co-founded in 1977 by Chancellor Arthur Keiser, Ph.D., and Evelyn Keiser, Keiser University currently offers more than 100 degrees from associates to the doctoral level. Keiser University is a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and was ranked No. 11 in the U.S. in Social Mobility by U.S. News and World Reports in 2021.